In order to effectively burn fat you have to exercise, eat the right foods and stay focused. All of these efforts will results in inches lost and a new body taking shape pretty quickly. If you haven’t quite got a handle on your diet, then you might be wondering what foods you should stay away from. It’s important to avoid certain foods because they can cause you to retain weight and prevent fat from burning. What are these foods? Keep reading below and you’ll find out!

1. Fast Food

Everything you get from fast food restaurants is bad for you, including the salads in most cases. They are fried, loaded with sodium and have high amounts of saturated fats and carbohydrates. All of these things can hinder you from burning fat and result in you retaining more water, which will give you a bloated appearance.

2. Soda

Soda is high in calories, sugar and carbohydrates that will prevent you from burning fat effectively. Even diet soda can prevent fat burning because it’s packed full of chemical sweeteners that often cause people to plateau with their weight loss. Drink water or tea instead of water for better fat burning capabilities.

3. Simple Carbohydrates

Foods like pasta, bread, white rice, pancakes, pastries and other quick burning carbs should be avoided at all costs. These cause you to actually store fat and aren’t nutritionally dense, either. Swap these out for foods with whole grains and you will be able to burn fat more efficiently. For example, instead of eating that bagel for breakfast go for a whole grain wrap.

4. Processed Foods

Do you typically pick up a breakfast sandwich at a fast food restaurant? Or do you eat a pastry that comes from a package? These foods should be avoided because they are full of saturated fat, carbohydrates, sugar and other ingredients that hinder fat burning capabilities in the body. Avoid these and opt for whole foods instead, like apples or vegetables.

5. Sugar

Sugar causes a lot of problems for the body and it can cause you to hold onto fat. Try to avoid eating desserts as well as any foods that contain sugar, which can include syrups and even dressings.

6. Salt

Salt is high in sodium, and too much of that can cause your body a lot of problems. Try to eat only 1,500mg of sodium per day to reduce bloating and keep your body healthy. You can more easily do this by avoiding fast food and packaged/processed foods, like Chinese take-out.

7. Potato Chips

Potato chips are greasy because they are deep fried in oils. Unfortunately these oils are packed full of trans fats and saturated fats, both of which are bad for your heart. These can also hinder fat burning in your body and even cause you to gain weight. On top of this, they are also high in calories, carbohydrates and sodium.

Now you know how to maintain a good, healthy diet that will help you lose fat. Good luck on your way to a perfect body.

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License: Royalty Free or iStocksource: Fotolia

License: Royalty Free or iStocksource: Fotolia

License: Royalty Free or iStocksource: Fotolia

License: Royalty Free or iStocksource: Fotolia

Daniel is an experienced fitness writer with many years of experience helping people lose weight. He regularly writes for JackedGorilla.Com, which is a site that provides useful information about best adjustable dumbbells, fitness, weight loss and bodybuilding.